MADISON— Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Assembly convened for a legislative floor session. Assembly Bill 472, a nuclear omnibus bill that creates a nuclear energy generation tax credit and prioritizes nuclear energy resources; passed the State Assembly 86 – 11. State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) said the following regarding yesterday’s outcome:
“I was the only “NO” vote on AB 472 in the Energy and Utilities Committee. But I was a “YES” vote earlier this year on Assembly Bill 132, which would convene a summit on nuclear energy in the State of Wisconsin. I am a “YES” on the nuclear summit because I believe we need to search for a non-carbon emitting source for energy production, and we at least owe it to our fellow Wisconsinites to have the nuclear conversation – yet this bill is putting the cart before the horse.
We cannot prioritize Nuclear Energy over Renewable Energy–They are NOT the same. And it is not a coincidence that we are discussing Data Center Regulation and Nuclear Energy within 48 hours. Investors in AI, Cryptocurrency and Data Centers are the same people investing in Small and Micro Nuclear Reactors. Eventually they could operate behind the Meter, leaving rate payers to foot the bill.
“Ultimately, in an affordability crisis with ever-increasing utility rates, we should not be legislating a tax credit to Big Tech and the utilities. The vote is NO.”
Representative Moore Omokunde represents the 17th Assembly District on the North and Northwest sides of Milwaukee.
